Muscle Soreness Cream – What To Look For? Which Is The Best?

If you work out regularly you have no doubt encountered those painful muscles the next day.

This soreness occurs when your muscle fibres are torn.

Often it may take days for this pain to disappear, which means that your training will be affected. So what can you do?

There are many different methods you can use (we have a few ideas in this article), for example, you may want to try an over the counter muscle soreness cream.

How do these creams work though, and are they an effective method of pain relief and muscle recovery?

Let’s look at muscle pain creams in more detail, shall we?[toc]

How Does Muscle Pain Cream Work?

Muscle pain creams work by being absorbed into your skin after being applied topically.

Usually, the cream will be rubbed onto your skin, which also offers some relief [1][2], but there are also sprays and patches available too.

What Ingredients Do Muscle Soreness Creams Use?

There are a few different ingredients commonly found in muscle soreness creams, these include:

Capsaicin

Capsaicin is the substance found in chilli peppers that give it the burning sensation.

After applying creams that contain capsaicin for around two weeks the nerve cells of a chemical that sends pain messages will be depleted.

Salicylates

Salicylates contain the pain-relieving substance found in aspirin, therefore helps provide relief from pain.

Counterirritants

Counterirritants include substances such as methyl or camphor can reduce pain by producing a cold or warm sensation.

This helps to temporarily override any pain felt.

Anaesthetics

There are topical anaesthetics available, such as Lidocaine that helps to numb the area the cream has been applied to.

Muscle Soreness Cream FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about muscle soreness creams:

Are Muscle Soreness Creams Safe To Use?

Most of these creams are safe to use, however, there are certain ingredients that can cause issues.

For example, if the cream contains capsaicin then you may encounter burning or stinging on your skin. This discomfort will reduce over time.

It is advised that if the cream contains capsaicin that you wear latex gloves while applying and to wash your hands thoroughly after application. For obvious reasons, you should avoid rubbing your eyes with this cream.

If you are allergic to aspirin or are taking blood thinners then it is advised that you avoid using any topical cream that contains salicylate. This is because too much can be toxic.

It is important when using any pain relief cream that you follow the instructions provided on the packaging.

I would also recommend trying the cream out on a small area first. This is to ensure you do not suffer a reaction to it.

Also, as with any medicine. If you have any doubts or questions you should always discuss them with your doctor before use.

Can You Buy Muscle Pain Cream In Boots?

Yes, there are a few different muscle pain creams you can buy from Boots.

These include some of the more popular brands including Voltarol, Nurofen and various Ibuprofen gels/creams.

Is Muscle Soreness Cream Available At Walmart?

Again, there are a variety of muscle soreness cream brands available in Walmart. Including, Penetrex, Bengay and Lidocaine, among others.

Is Muscle Pain Cream Safe During Pregnancy?

I would always advise speaking to your doctor before using any muscle pain cream, or pain relief during pregnancy.

Certain medications can cause problems for both you and your unborn baby.

For example, taking NSAIDs early in your pregnancy may increase your risk of suffering a miscarriage [3]. Research has also found that they could cause birth defects [4].

Do I Need A Prescription For Muscle Pain Cream?

You do not need a prescription for most over the counter pain relief creams. However, there are certain brands available in the USA that do need a doctors prescription.

These brands include Voltaren and Solaraze, which both contain an NSAID (Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug) called Diclofenac [4], which is used for treating osteoarthritis.

In Conclusion: Do Muscle Pain Creams Work?

While many people would swear by the benefits of these topical pain relief creams, scientific research is less favourable.

Research has found that these creams offer minimal benefit, and some work only slightly better than a placebo.

What I would suggest would be to try one yourself. Sometimes you need to try out different products to see what benefits they really offer.

What To Look For In A Muscle Soreness Cream?

There are certain things you should be looking for when choosing a muscle soreness cream:

#1: How It Feels

Before choosing a cream you need to make sure you like how it feels on your skin.

Some creams will produce a warm feeling, while others will produce a cooler sensation. Others may cause a tingling on your skin, while others may not have any sensation at all.

You need to know how the cream absorbs too. Will it absorb straight away, or will it leave your skin greasy or sticky?

#2: What It Smells Like

There are some creams that will have a distinctive medicine smell, which may be off-putting for some.

Others will have a scent that disappears after a while, or you can buy ones that are fragrance-free.

#3: Effectiveness

One of the most important factors to consider is whether the cream works or not, and how quickly they get to work.

While some creams offer almost instant relief, others are slower acting.

It is important to pay attention to how long a cream works before having to reapply it.

Which Muscle Soreness Cream Would We Recommend?

While there are other more well-known muscle soreness cream brands available, our recommendation would be the one sold by CBDMuscle.

Their cream is made using a proprietary blend of phytocannabinoids [5] and other ingredients that will naturally target the pain felt in your muscles and joints.

Its formula has been created using cutting edge research and has been tested on pro athletes, and fitness and health experts to ensure its efficiency and potency.

There is little doubt that using CBDMuscle will help aid recovery by helping you to overcome pain, while simultaneously helping to turbocharge performances.

CBDMuscle is also available as an oil and a food supplement.